Cohen, Pantelides Win Annapolis Primaries

Update 7:56am, September 18th, 2013: Mike Pantelides won with about 65% of the Republican vote. Cohen won about 57% of Democratic votes. Full results here.

Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen held off a strong primary challenge yesterday to win the Democratic endorsement for a second term, while Republicans selected a candidate with one of the better known names in the city to run in the general election on November 5th.

Cohen thought he wouldn’t face a primary until Bevin Buchheister, Maryland director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and a downtown resident, got into the race in August. She and others were angry over plans for development at City Dock, the heart of the city’s downtown.

Cohen told supporters at an election night party that he had the “utmost respect” for Buchheister and the issues she raised. He said later that it’s important to get City Dock right. “My hope is that now that we’re through the primary we can have a much more reasoned, collegial discussion about it,” he said. “But I’m committed to moving that discussion forward in a way that enhances downtown while preserving the integrity of the historic district.”

Mike Pantelides, a software salesman whose family has long been active in the city, polled nearly 50 percent of the Republican vote. He easily beat businessman Bob O’Shea and retired businessman Frank Bradley.